If you haven’t already seen the new blue and white Choice waste company trucks coming down the street, you will this week for sure.

A new business has taken over of the collection of trash, garbage, recycling and yard waste and in many areas of Lehigh, the days of collection have changed.

Choice Environmental took over regular debris collection on Oct. 1.

The firm is expected to provide recycling containers throughout the community, according to one of the drivers for Waste Management, which will no longer provide that service to Lehigh. He said he was now working for Choice and that new containers would be provided in time.

To make things works well, the new company has mailed out a large circular to every household in Lehigh containing instructions in Lee County Service Area No. 4, which includes Lehigh.

Homeowners are being told that garbage must be placed in a container of 40-gallon capacity or less, with weather and animal proof lids and a handle on each side, or suitable heavy mil plastic bags, that won’t come apart. No container or bag can exceed 50 pounds, officials said.

Yard waste must be placed in suitable heavy mil bags, too, or a container of 40 gallon capacity or less, with a handle on each side, or securely tied bundles that are no longer than six feet and weigh no more than 50 pounds per bundle or container.

Palm fronds that are unbundled or untied will be accepted if placed at the curb neatly, the brochure states. Residents are being told to not place yard waste on empty lots.

It’s important to place collections of garbage and debris within six feet of the curb by 6:30 a.m. on the day your pickup is scheduled.

Recycling is important to help the environment and homeowners are encouraged to use the large recycling bins. If you have the older ones, use them. The firm lists items such as newspapers, magazines, catalogs, telephone books, corrugated cardboard, computer and office paper, junk mail including envelopes, clean pizza boxes, beverage boxes, cereal boxes, shoe and gift boxes, aluminum cans and clean foil, plastic containers with a No. 1 through No. 7 marked on the bottom, glass bottles and jars (clear, green and brown) and metal cans including empty aerosol cans.

Bottles and jars must be free of residuals. And aluminum, plastic and glass are to be placed in the recycling containers supplied by Lee County or in similar or suitable containers.

Homeowners are asked to not place any recyclables in plastic bags and to not place garbage or yard waste in recycling containers.

Homeowners are reminded that non recyclable items that should not be tossed into the containers include plastic coated cardboard, juice cartons, pots and pans, door screens, lawn furniture, cooking utensils, forks and spoons, knives, dishes, drinking glasses, cookware such as Pyrex and Corning, tools, car parts, auto fluid containers, mirrors, windows, medicine bottles, plastic grocery bags, plastic newspapers sleeves, egg cartons, Styrofoam, polystyrene trays, pool chemical containers, flower pots, toys and shredded paper.

The brochure notes that your neighbors across the street may have different collection days than yours. You are encouraged to call 239-368-2300 for any questions you may have.

Such things as computers, monitors, TVs, VCRs and stereo equipment, printers, copiers, fax machines and microwaves can be placed at the curbside by 6:30 a.m. on collection day. But you should schedule pickup service for electronic devices by calling Choice Environmental.

No hazardous waste will be collected such as paint, solvents, acid, chemicals, car batteries, motor oil or propane tanks. You can call 239-533-8000 for information of how to dispose these items. You can also go to: www3.leegov.com/solidwaste on the Internet for more information.

Also scheduled pickups service for refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, stoves, washing machines, dryers and water heaters by calling 368-2300. These items can also be placed at curbside by 6:30 a.m. on the arranged collection day.

Homeowners are asked to not place so-called white goods such as the items just mention under overhead wires or under trees.

Homeowners should always remember that no collections will be made on New Year’s Day, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day or Christmas Day. If a holiday falls on a weekday between Monday and Friday, then your collection will be one day later, officials said.